Scotland have appointed Sebastien Pocognoli as their new head coach.
The 39-year-old joins on a two-year deal, replacing Steve Clarke in charge of the national team.
Pocogonli has previously won the Belgian league title with Union Saint-Gilloise and comes in after leaving Monaco at the end of last season.
This is the Belgian’s first international position and just his third head-coaching role in senior men’s football.
Upon being appointed, Pocognoli said: “It’s an honour to be asked to become the head coach of the Scotland national team.
“When I first heard of the interest, I was immediately excited about the opportunity.
“Scotland’s supporters are famous for their passion – most recently at the World Cup in the USA – and I have experienced it myself as a player for Belgium when we played in 2013.
“Along with my coaching staff, I will do everything I can to give them a team to be proud of and build on the success that has been achieved already by my predecessor.
Sebastien Pocognoli has been appointed as Scotland’s new head coach
|
PA“Since negotiations began, I have been doing a lot of research, asking a lot of questions and looking at areas that we can build on.
“I am hugely excited by the prospect and look forward to working with the players to achieve even more success.
“We don’t have long until the first camp, so the coming weeks will be spent preparing for the UEFA Nations League and putting those plans into action on the training pitch when we meet up next month.”
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “He was the standout candidate from a thorough process: a very impressive individual, with a real desire to take on the role and a clear vision for how he wants to go about it.”
Pocognoli replaces Steve Clarke as Scotland boss
|
GETTYPocognoli is familiar with British football following spells in England during his playing career.
He represented West Brom in the Premier League and also spent the 2016-17 campaign on loan at Brighton, helping the Seagulls secure promotion to the top flight.
The SFA’s recently appointed chief football officer, Craig Mulholland, was involved in making the changes, saying the appointment is an “exciting moment for Scottish football”.
Mulholland said: “He is one of Europe’s brightest and most sought-after coaches.
The Belgian said: ‘It’s an honour to be asked to become the head coach of the Scotland national team’
|
PA
“He will bring an aggressive, front-foot style of play that will excite supporters.
“He will now build on the outstanding work and excellent foundations left by Steve Clarke and his staff.
“While our extensive search was informed by data and insight, and Sebastien’s metrics matched what we believe necessary to enhance and evolve from a position of strength, it’s as important to us that his personality and character will allow him to connect with a fantastic group of players.”
